Guisborough, Cemetery 1899

Photo ref: 44767

More about this scene

As we leave the town in an easterly direction towards Skelton, our last view of Guisborough, and the resting place of generations of Gisborians since being opened in 1872, is the town's cemetery. After the churchyard became full, Admiral Chaloner gave land for the creation of a new town cemetery, although the churchyard continued to be used for later interments into existing family graves. Laid out in the style of the day, the cemetery had a lodge for the resident cemetery superintendent, a mortuary chapel for the coffins to rest in before the funeral, and two chapels for the holding of funeral services, one Anglican and one Non-conformist. All four cemetery buildings were set in well kept lawned burial areas, punctuated with a gridwork of symmetrical paths and attractive topiary; the cemetery was bounded by a stone wall with wrought iron railings. After falling into disuse, one of the chapels was demolished. The remaining three buildings still stand, but the vehicular gateway shown in this view has been moved from Church Lane to the frontage on the B1269 road to Dunsdale and Redcar.